Zen Letters: Teachings of Yuanwu

by Yuanwu Yuanwu, J.C. Cleary (Translator), Thomas Cleary (Translator)

Zen Letters presents the teachings of the great Chinese master Yuanwu (1063–1135) in direct person-to-person lessons, intimately revealing the inner workings of the psychology of enlightenment. These teachings are drawn from letters written by Yuanwu to various fellow teachers, disciples, and lay students—to women as well as men, to people with families and worldly careers as well as monks and nuns, to advanced adepts as well as beginning students. A key figure of Zen history, Yuanwu is best known as the author of The Blue Cliff Record. His letters, here in English for the first time, are among the treasures of Zen literature.

Genres: Zen, Buddhism, Spirituality, Philosophy, Religion, Psychology

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Mattheus Guttenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yuanwu was an 11th century enlightened teacher in the Linji school of Chan (Chinese Zen), and this book is a compilation of his letters to students and practitioners discussing the psychology, attitude, and practice pertaining to Awakening. An excellent and inspiring work, totally breathtaking; Yuanwu's teachings spill out of the pages directly into your soul.

[One Awakening · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book on Zen that I've ever read. I'm currently rereading it and planning on doing it perpetually because I'm convinced I haven't gotten even a shred of understanding for the knowledge it contains.

[Jughead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another classic translation by the Cleary brothers (translators all members of the Sanga should be familiar with) of an extraordinary collection of letters, written by Chinese Grand Master Yuanwu Keqin (Blue Cliff Record), 'to a various friends, disciples, and associates--to women as well as to men, to people with families and worldly careers as well as to monks and nuns, to advanced adepts as well as to beginning seekers'.

[Emiliano Castillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es un libro que puede confundir a las personas, pues no tenemos ambas partes de la correspondencia.

Creo que todas las personas se beneficiarían más de leer primero el Blue Cliff Record y entenderlo bien antes de leer este texto. Fuera de eso, creo que sí tiene algunas partes valiosas.

[Casey Newsom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most badass Zen writing I’ve ever read. Phenomenal power in so many sections. My copy is falling apart I’ve read it so many times and taken it so many places, in the 2 years I’ve had it.